Drive And Vote: 16-year-olds In Oregon Could Preregister To Vote At DMV

Sixteen-year-olds may soon be able to pre-register to vote in Oregon. That’s according to a bill passed by the state’s House of Representatives Monday.

The bill, which is now on its way to Gov. Kate Brown’s desk for signature, would reduce the pre-voter registration age from 17 to 16. Those who do pre-register, still cannot vote until they turn 18, according to federal law.

Rep. Ann Lininger, who sponsored the bill, said it would encourage more Oregonians to vote.

“Every year, 20,000 young Oregonians go to the Department of Motor Vehicles when they turn 16 to get a driver’s license,” she said. “With our 'motor-voter law,' we have a chance to enlist those Oregonians in voter pre-registration, which will make it easier for them to vote when they turn 18.”

Eleven other states already allow minors to register to vote when they apply for a driver’s license.